Veganism: Are you Rooting for it?

Holly Lamb discusses the “culture” of veganism

Some claim it started with Deliciously Ella, with her glorious plates of vivid salad bowls and perfectly stylised cookbooks. Others say that the spread of veganism is closely aligned with health, nourishing the body and the mind. But the true question is – what is the future of veganism, because surely it can’t just be Greggs introducing another sausage roll?

This isn’t your typical hippy rant telling you to just shove plants down your throat and spend extortionate amounts of money on quinoa, it’s about accepting that veganism is integrated into our society. From high street chains such as the beloved Pret, to exclusive Michelin starred restaurants, one can always find a vegan option in the modern age. What is more intriguing though is the fact that vegan options are frequently chosen by non-vegans as a matter of choice and preference. 

veganism has become as much a diet as it is a culture

My fascination with Veganism lies in the belief that it has arguably become a personality trait, only identified upon hearing the the hippy slurs of “Oh did you know I’m vegan?”. You can even reach the holy grail of veganism by splashing  ‘plant based’ on your Instagram bio accompanied by a leaf emoji. 

Non-vegan companies’ expansion to feed vegan mouths is somewhat of a precarious balance. An obsession to include more vegan options could lead to shelves filled with highly processed tofu ready meals that a large majority of the carnivorous population would not particularly want to give a go. In essence, shouldn’t it be about accommodating all diets and food groups? KFC already dipped their toes in the waters of veganism with the US trial of plant based chicken, which supposedly sold out within five hours. The future of veganism seems to be bright as there is clear popular demand and hype surrounding plant based alternatives. 

Who knows? Maybe, you’ll be vegan by next week, eating Burger King veggie burgers, tofu lasagne and feeling rather zen. What’s more important is that veganism has become as much a diet as it is a culture, but it doesn’t mean you need to totally conform to it.